The strongest champion puzzle

Chapter 22

Zhang Xiaotian made a phone call to Xu Yi, and accepted a simple phone interview.

"Everything is based on strength. Everyone will see whether I have the strength to gain a foothold in the NBA."

On Xu Yi's side, it was he who expressed his attitude through the familiar media, so as not to disappoint the fans who liked him.

What happened yesterday, Xu Yihui will help to make a fair report, so as not to let the reporters who make trouble mislead people.

Although it is the media on the other side of the ocean, most of the fans who like him are young people and Chinese there. It is enough to have Xu Yi's report, and he does not need to say anything to other people, he will respond on the court.

The other is Yang Feiyu's message, saying that she knew the Spurs were going to lose when she saw the team not letting Zhang Xiaotian play in the live broadcast. A few words, but it made people feel a lot better.

"It would be great if you were the head coach. I think only you know that I am invincible."

"Of course, I discovered you."

It came back in seconds, Zhang Xiaotian was still a little uncomfortable at this time, "You didn't sleep in late."

"Go to class, okay? Don't say it as if you know me well."

The Spurs played back-to-back games, and the starting lineup did not change. Zhang Xiaotian could only silently wait for his chance to play.

Because of Howard's departure, the Magic's lineup has also changed a lot. At least in the preseason, Jacques Vaughn still commanded well, and the second-year rookie Nikola Vucevic also showed the potential not to be weaker than Howard.

Jacques Vaughn, the former assistant coach, also came over to say hello to the Spurs, and the atmosphere before the war was very harmonious.

But at the beginning of the game, Jacques Vaughn used his familiarity with the Spurs to make a targeted defense, especially the still-growing Leonard, who was a bit unable to perform after being taken care of.

However, the Spurs still relied on Duncan's strong inside play to gain the lead at the beginning, but Duncan is no longer young after all, and it is impossible to keep playing like this.

After the Magic's Glenn Davis hit consecutive mid-range shots, the two sides began to take the lead alternately.

At the end of the first quarter, Zhang Xiaotian and Stephen Jackson appeared on the stage at the same time, which was rare.

Zhang Xiaotian was not impatient, and started with defense first. The player he was playing against, Dai Quinn Jones, was drawn out of the draft by the Magic in the summer, and he was also very active in defense.

Leonard is not used to being entangled by the opponent. Unlike Zhang Xiaotian who actively seeks confrontation, Dai Quinn-Jones likes to make small moves.

"Yellow monkey, I will kill you, not even Leonard, just wait."

Zhang Xiaotian didn't talk nonsense, he directly collided with Dai Quinn-Jones. He is different from Leonard. Leonard is the team's key player, and he has to play a tactical role in many cases. Leonard is facing a magic-like defense. He would hesitate, but Zhang Xiaotian didn't care.

Everyone is undrafted, who is afraid of whom, and the one who can't stand it is the son.

At this time, the Spurs had Manu Ginobili and Stephen Jackson on offense. Stephen Jackson used to be a defensive champion, but now that he is older, he uses his experience more to play on the offensive end.

So Zhang Xiaotian doesn't have much pressure now. Although Jacques Vaughan also pays attention to Zhang Xiaotian, he also knows Zhang Xiaotian, and basically doesn't attack much when he first played.

But as someone who has played the core, Zhang Xiaotian's offensive awareness is actually better than defensive.

When Dai Quinn-Jones was concentrating on fighting against Zhang Xiaotian, Zhang Xiaotian suddenly received a pass with a reverse run, and then made a fake shot and wiped it inside
Dai Quinn-Jones didn't turn around for a while, but chased Zhang Xiaotian's arm and called over.

Zhang Xiaotian made an exaggerated movement on his face, and at the same time threw the ball to the basket.

The referee's whistle sounded. In fact, Dai Quinn-Jones didn't really affect Zhang Xiaotian's shooting at all, but the action was a bit big, 2+1.

Ginobili gave a thumbs up covertly, Zhang Xiaotian's move has his demeanor.

After hitting the free throw, Zhang Xiaotian deliberately passed Dai Quinn-Jones when he was running back, "You don't have to pretend to be ruthless when you are a small player, I will play casually with an opponent like you."

Daequan-Jones was furious, but he worked so hard to get the starting position.

He wanted to save face in the attack, Zhang Xiaotian first clung to the opponent tightly, and then fell to the ground when the kid's elbow was raised unconsciously.

The referee's whistle blew again, and Jacques Vaughan looked at Zhang Xiaotian in surprise, but he had no choice but to replace Dai Quinn-Jones.

Zhang Xiaotian was a little amused, this was a move he learned from a few old hooligans in the team during training, but it could be used in front of rookies, his acting skills were only average, and he was not used to it.

If it weren't for Dai Quinn Jones' bad mouth, he wouldn't have played tricks either.

To defend this kind of thing, head-to-head is the best.

The forward Chris Johnson, who came off the bench for the Magic, was also an undrafted pick. He didn't have the strong body of Dae Quinn Jones, so he was at a disadvantage against Zhang Xiaotian and had little performance.

When Zhang Xiaotian was on the court, the Spurs maintained the lead, but after the main force reappeared, the Magic's Jameer Nelson suddenly showed his strength, leading the team to a 17:5 spurt.

At halftime, the Spurs trailed by 41 points 50:9.

Probably because of back-to-back reasons, the main players of the Spurs were in mediocre condition. Duncan looked a little tired and was quickly replaced by DeJuan Blair, but Danny Green felt good.

Halfway through the third quarter, the Magic's Etowan Moore hit a three-pointer, and the Spurs fell behind by 13 points.

Popovich is not in a hurry, and rotates Gary Neal and Stephen Jackson according to the routine.

The score didn't continue to expand, but it didn't catch up either, it just went back and forth around 10 points.

Zhang Xiaotian was anxious because he was afraid that Popovich would not replace him calmly.

In the fourth quarter, Popovich turned his head and said: "Can't wait, get ready to play."

At this time, Nelson just hit a brainless three-pointer, and the Magic's lead came to 13 points again.

The Spurs replaced Parker, Danny Green and Zhang Xiaotian together, forming a relatively flexible semi-main lineup.

Playing with Danny Green means that he does not want to take on the heaviest defensive task. Zhang Xiaotian only felt a burst of flames gushing out of his body, proving himself at this moment.

He ran desperately to get rid of the defender, and after receiving a pass from Parker, he didn't even stop and started straight away.

Zhang Xiaotian jumped up high in the crowd and pushed the basketball in his hand into the hoop. Gustavo Ayong, the Magic's substitute insider, didn't even have time to react.

After he landed, he let out a loud roar and looked fiercely at the members of the Magic team.

The score is still behind by double digits, he doesn't care, he wants to win this game.

(End of this chapter)